(CNN) - Newt Gingrich can add another Republican presidential foe to the list of those taking aim at his record: Texas Rep. Ron Paul.

In a new web video released Wednesday, Paul's campaign hits the former House Speaker as a "serial" hypocrite and Washington insider.
The 2 1/2-minute spot features a string of clips from the news media in which journalists and political leaders highlight inconsistencies both in Gingrich's time in office and on the campaign trail.

The ad points at a recent controversy over reports that Gingrich received a paycheck of at least $1.6 million from Freddie Mac while he served as a consultant for the mortgage giant.

Critics went after Gingrich at the time, calling him a lobbyist for the mega-lender. But Gingrich has since denied he took part in any lobbying of any kind.

The video also includes a 2008 commercial Gingrich did on climate change with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democratic political heavyweight regarded with much disdain among conservative Republicans.

Gingrich now says the commercial was one of the "dumbest" things he's done in recent years but defends it as an effort to show that conservatives care about the environment.

Among the montage of clips is a short scene with a Republican voter pointing his finger at Gingrich and saying, "You're an embarrassment to our party."

Paul's web ad also swipes at Gingrich over previous comments he made indicating support of an individual health insurance mandate, claims he also now flatly denies.

Paul is the latest presidential candidate to place the bull’s-eye on Gingrich. Both former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann have also blasted him over his immigration policies and long career in Washington.

Their attacks come after Gingrich has surged to the front of the GOP race, where he now faces heated competition with Romney for the top spot. Paul falls behind the two in several polls, including surveys measuring support in Iowa and New Hampshire, states that hold the nation’s first two presidential contests.

The ad ends using Gingrich's own words from a Monday radio interview, in which he leveled heavy charges against Romney as a flip-flopper.

"It's wrong to go around and adopt radically different positions, because then people have to ask themselves, 'What will you tell me next time?" Gingrich can be heard saying as the ad closes.

The video then comes to a standstill with eerie music playing in the background and nothing on the screen but text that reads: "What will you tell us next?"

Gingrich's campaign responded to the ad late Wednesday night.

"No candidate in the race has achieved more conservative reform of government or spent more time and energy championing the cause of the conservative movement than Newt Gingrich, which is why voters across the country are choosing Newt over Mitt Romney," said campaign spokesman R.C. Hammond in a statement to CNN.
- CNN's Peter Hamby and Rachel Streitfeld contributed to this report.

soundoff(55 Responses)

Nancy

It's a very good ad.

December 1, 2011 03:48 am at 3:48 am |

steven harnack

By the time that the primaries are over all the Democrats will have to do is replay the Republican ads that are anti-whoever. Meanwhile they are doing a good job of telling Americans who these guys really are, and from the people who know them best.

December 1, 2011 03:57 am at 3:57 am |

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ

Thank you Ron Paul for pointing out the hypocracy of Gingrich. He knows alot, but he doesn't really know what to do with it. There is a problem with Ron Paul on the other hand. He is an idealist in a non-ideal world. The problem is that going back to the original constitution ignores all the changes that the Congress has made by doing its job. He would have us ignore science that shows the dangers of various chemicals among other things. Many companies would do the wrong thing (Enron for one) just to make money. That is why there are rules. They are there to protect the citizenry.

December 1, 2011 06:37 am at 6:37 am |

JamesKlimaski

I think Newt is truly representative of the present Republican party, and I don't mean that in a positive way.

December 1, 2011 06:48 am at 6:48 am |

Clwyd

Oh, how horrible that Newt would acknowledge "Climate Change" when the uneducated and ill informed in his party refuse to believe what 90% now of scientists have proven! Stupid is forever republicans!